Podcast 322: Enter the Umlaut
2026-02-02One of the most frustrating Cavs of my lifetime, is no longer wearing wine and Gold. De’Andre Hunter was traded to the Sacramento Kings, Saturday, and in his place arrived Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder, a man we’ve joyfully referred to as “The Umlaut” for the shock of white in his hair he often wore and the dots over the “o” in his name. (I edited the the title pic to add the second dot). To break down the trade, Nate Smith, Chris Francis, and Eli Kim jumped in the the podcast booth and went through the ins and outs and what-have-yous of the deal. It wasn’t unanimous praise.
As a fair warning, this was recorded right before the Cavs’ entertaining defeat of the Portland Trailblazers, Sunday night, which saw Jarrett Allen post the best game of his career: a 40/17/5, six stock, zero turnover evisceration of Portland’s Donovan Clingan. To say that the Cavs seem to be suffering from the departure of Hunter would be a lie. The ball moved and everyone played more free. We spent a good bit of the pod figuring out how the Hunter addition went so wrong.
To decide whether trade was good for the Cavs, and whether it might lead to something larger, we broke down Ellis’ and Schröder’s game, how they mesh, and the best (and worst) case scenario for their Cavalier tenure. We got into a lot of other topics too, including the All-Star selections, the possibility of LeBron returning to Cleveland next summer, whether the Cavs will be able to swing for the fences in another trade, whether Giannis gets moved at all this season, Koby’s talent development pipeline, stupid news from around the NBA, and so much more.
As always, catch us below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, or Spotify.
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BYE – BYE LONZO—- GIVING UP 2nd ROUND PICKS— NO BIG DEAL—— SEE SAM / WADE / CPJ / NYQUIL (( Yes SAM WAS DRAFTED— NOT BY CAVS —WAS BROUGHT UP BY OUR GREAT GLEAGUE TRAINING) 👍👍
So true – this pipeline the Cavs have of turning G-leaguers into rotation players really frees their hand to use the 2d rounders in these trades. That and nailing the Tyson at 20 and Proctor at 49 picks in back to back drafts (obviously Proctor can validate his pick’s success with a lower level of accomplishment than what we’re seeing from Tyson)
Maybe you’ll get a replacement
There’s plenty like me to be found
Mongrels who ain’t got a penny
Sniffing for tidbits like you
On the ground, ah, ah
His D was solid, but he just could not shoot nor create much off the dribble or penetrate.
Hard to create when you’re terrified of layups.
SO MUCH FOR BRINGING UP KHAYES — WOULDNT BE SURPRISED IF SOME TEAM DOESNT TAKE A FLIER ON HIM
Did we cut him from the Charge?
Both Hayes & Omier made the G League Next Up game for the AS weekend.
https://cleveland.gleague.nba.com/news/hayes-omier-named-to-nba-g-league-next-up-game-at-all-star-2026-in-los-angeles
how many guys in the all star game have the letter N in their name?
Almost all of them?
Maxey doesn’t. All the other staeters do.
PER REPORT s CAVS INTERESTED IN CAM THOMAS / NETS —— THAT WOULD BE A SURPLUS OF GAURDS IN MY OPINION
We already have a surplus. Another PG sized SG is not what we need.
Sexton, Agbagi, and Exum all traded in the last 24 hours.
Agbaji salary dumped from Toronto to the Nets as part of a Chris Paul to Toronto trade.
Sexton & Deng + picks to Bulls for White & Conley.
Exum part of the AD trade.
Hornets & Wiz were both mentioned as possible teade destinations for Ball. Both team just got 2 PGs (though sending out Gs also).
👍👍👍WITH NATE — STRUS / MOBES WONT PLAY UNTIL AFTER ASB
Collin
Taking this from Reddit which is citing the Athletic:
“Three league sources said Mitchell, who has one guaranteed season left on his three-year, $150 million deal and a player option for 2027-28, conveyed, either personally or through his representatives, that he did not think the organization should stand pat for the rest of this season and wait for potential moves in the summer.
Two league sources also said Mitchell specifically wanted Harden, who is 6-foot-5, durable and comfortable as a pass-first point guard”
Cavs have denied that.
Vardon’s name was on that (again, according to reddit, i havent actually seen the article.) I’ve always taken anything from him with a grain of salt. He’s more shit stirrer than reporter.
On our injury availability front:
Schröder & Ellis are available tonight. Harden not.
Mobley is OUT. It has been a week since the OUT 1-3 weeks update.
Strus is almost a month out since the OUT at least another month update.
My bet is we don’t see Mobley till after ASB.
I think you are probably correct there. Might be longer.
IDK what Strus’ status is. But I think there is a non-zero chance he may suddenly start feeling better after the trade deadline.
Per Amico, Cavs have interest in Cam Thomas. Why? I have no idea.
He’s 6’3″, and a guard, they can’t resist.
I want the Cavs to be conservative with Mobley. “Second calf-strain of the season” should never be taken lightly. Plus, it seems like he and the coaches have figured out what his best offensive role for this season is going to look like, in that last stretch of games. With him out, now they can try to do the same with Jarrett, assuming he is not traded.
SGA out thru the ASG, will be re-evaluated then. We play OKC the 3rd game post ASB.
They could be without SGA & Williams.
OKC has 5 games left pre ASB and we are their 2nd out of it.
Well, I was dead wrong about the Mavs waiting to trade AD. Mavs/Wiz trade.
Wiz get:
Anthony Davis
D’Angelo Russell
J. Hardy
and old friend Dante Exum
Mavs get:
Kris Middleton (expiring)
AJ Johnson
Malaki Branhan
Marvin Bagley III
2 firsts
3 seconds
MAVS / WIZARD TRADE IS KINDA WEIRD—— IS THERE A WINNER IN THAT TRADE
Wizards and Kings make the Browns look smart
At least he didn’t go to a contender.
I hope Giannis stays put.
Mavs. They got cap space, 2 firsts, 3 seconds and rid of Russell.
You know your value as a star has tanked when you are traded to the Wiz, Kings, or Pelicans.
Picks were asssssss
Wiz if AD and Trae play mext year with Sarr, Bilal and a lottery pick
“DITTO “ WHAT RAOUL POSTED 👍
and, tonight the Cavs are at the Clips! who is writing this stuff?
my guess is that there is a 0% chance DG plays tonight, and maybe about a 5% chance JH plays.
pretty sure the new guys from the Kings will be on the floor — looking forward to seeingt that
Like others, I’m really not a big fan of Harden’s style of play since his Houston days (I actually enjoyed watching him in college and OKC). But the writing was on the wall for DG.. our chances of going deep in the playoffs or winning it all were very slim. The biggest question mark for me is Harden’s ego. Is he going to buy into a lesser role? Is he going to crumble and pout when the team hits adversity? He’s saying the right things now… time will tell if he’s really willing to buy into a role and sacrifice… Read more »
I think the dynamic will be much the same as with DG/Spida and Allen/Mobley.
You want at least one of each on the floor at all times. The questions will be whom fits better with whom? And who of the rotationsl guys fits better with whom? Ellis & Schröder are new, too. Hunter is gone. Ball likely as well. Strus maybe coming back. Mobely is out.
A lot of change. There will have to be some experimentation. And I am sure some clunkiness, bad fits, learning curve stuff.
If the Cavs don’t want to get under the Apron, I’d be 100% on board with Ball and Nance or Bryant for Nurkic
That trade won’t work, Nate.
He makes $19 mil and we cannot aggregate unless it drops us under.
I was thinking ten. You’re right. Just had the wrong number in my head.
A nice idea, though.
I think were ate done outside of moving Ball/signing Tomlin.
If we think Strus might not be able to play this year, then I think he could certainly get moved.
And if a buyout guy falls in our lap, I think Bryant or LNJ could get waived, I *think* that is allowed for 2nd apron if the buyout guy was on a low deal (MLE or below). But it probably would gave to be a big coming in.
With Mobely out, I think we’ll be reluctant to lose a frontcourt player.
The rumor I heard is that Strus is pretty close to returning but they didn’t want to risk him getting hurt again before deadline. Likely after ASB if he stays.
The biggest on court issue with Harden on offense is that he doesn’t move off-ball. Like, at all.
Maybe he could be a good screener for Mobley up top? Mitchell has been willing to get off the ball for sure so maybe it’s fine…
You are not wrong, there.
You stagger the Mitchell/Harden minutes as much as possible.
He is not as good as DG from the corner, and has been @$$ this year, around 34-35% career (and then he has to ‘run’ back on D.
Bulls offered Vuc and a FRP for Allen. If that didn’t work we probably aren’t moving.
I think the Mobley/Allen moves were all involving bigger game (Giannis, AD). I don’t see us selling off any healthy rotationsl guy for picks. We are looking to upgrade, not sell off.
trading for AD seems insane
For next year.
All under contract:
Core 4: Mitchell, Mobley, Allen, Harden (PO/PG)
Have to keep: Tyson, Merrill
Keep but not rotation ready yet: Proctor
Playable & moveable: Strus, Schröder
FAs
Wade: bring back ASAP
Ellis: we’ll see how it goes
Bryant: retain on a cheap/upgrade
LNJ: sadly, we let him walk
Team Options:
Ball: decline, let walk, he’ll be dumped by Thur
CPJ: keep
Sign to full deal: Tomlin (for Ball)
So, I’d be starting with 10 guys I absolutely want here: Mitchell, Mobley, Allen, Harden, Tyson, Merrill, Wade (FA retain), CPJ (pick up option), Tomlin (assuming we sign when Ball goes), and Proctor.
We have Schröder & Strus under contract on moveable deals. That’s 12.
We have a decision to make on Ellis.
We do have a 1st next year. I’d assume we do something to get under the apron (Strus/Schröder) butcwe might not stay there (Wade/Ellis FA, other FA’s). Would not be opposed to Bryant being back.
Let’s go, Beard!
Welcome to C-Town!
Keep doing what you’re doing as that will make us a much better team than we were yesterday.
Let ’em know!
I think Harden should shave the beard as a testament to a new approach with a new team.
one thing is that DG is a very likable guy who plays with great joy. he is like a local kid who is growing up to be a star, and he is OUR guy! what’s not to like? but as things often go, it is not working out so well at the moment. and new we get: THE TURD, a not particularly likable guy who looks dour, has a Rasputian beard going, and is known for forcing his way off teams that are not going anywhere. probably a lot of our dislike is the optics, as opposed to the performance.… Read more »
At least it was Harden and not Ja Morant. He was one of the few people where the salaries work and obviously available. I would have been out if they’d done that. I can handle malcontents and headcases, but got no place for actual violent scumbags.
Eh. For me it’s definitely the performance. He plays lawyerball which falls apart in the playoffs. He plays an unwatchable style of foul-baiting basketball which I’ve always hated.
The Ethical Basketball Era comes to a close. :-(
That is fair, Nate. And I agree in the main.
As I said, I think there has been some improvement in the baiting since the rule change, and he is a better facilitator now. Less dribble dribble dribble step back (though that will happen some).
I think the malcontent/locker room cancer stuff is overblown. The beefs were with the FO & Kyrie.
Next year, who knows? But I think he should be on the straight & narrow this year.
Hardens ability to draw FTs is super ugly. It is also really stabilizing an offense that goes through weird droughts. I’ve always wanted DG/DM to do a bit more grifting
Exactly.It just aggravates me watching it.
He is an all-time flopper as well. The NBA had to change the rule.
Look, I cannot stand Harden’s game, aesthetically. But he has gotten less hard on the eyes with the rule change AND become a pretty good facilitator. He led the league in assists 1 year (total) and led APG last year in the POs and while he does turn it over some, he is up over 2:1 ast/TO (and was over 3:1 a couple years ago).
DG has never been a 3:1 guy.
yeah, he was so good a working the refs that the rules were changed. the only other guy to force a rule change is named Wilt (widening the paint area)
I don’t mean to say I don’t have issues with Harden & Schröder, I do.
But I think we’ll be better this year and probably next. DG has been injured/ineffective for almost a year now (9 months), and Hunter’s shooting was in the toilet and no longer counterbalancing his poor off ball D, and he was forcing stuff on O.
Less Hunter & Ball shots, more looks for the bigs, Merrill, Tyson, and Harden. We should be better short term.
Coming around on this. If ring not won and Hard punks out after just one partial season and dashes, then there will be a bit of I told you so grumbling. And it will be deserved. Getting optimistic this won’t happen. New mantra: “The grift is the gift.” Go Cavs.
I’m pretty neutral. I get why the people who hate it hate it, and I get why people wanted to move on from Garland. It’s definitely tough to see the runway shortened. I don’t ultimately believe it works out without another major move, but I also don’t see an inevitable disaster. Koby’s gambles to this point haven’t resulted in massive backfires. The only thing that would worry me would be to find out this was all Dan Gilbert.
supposedly Harden gave up some stuff to make the trade happen. If Dan can cause that to happen, good on him
I just trust Koby’s risk evaluation way more than I trust Dan’s.
what has Dan ever done other than send his personal plane to Miami to fetch LeBron? that turned out pretty good as I recall
He wouldn’t have had to fly to Miami if he’d stayed out of the way the first go around. It was his edict to throw out as much money as possible to support LeBron asap, that was well documented. He put them in a situation where they had to spend top dollar on marginal talent and put them in salary cap hell for the duration of LeBron’s first stint. Every move made during those years was made out of desperation trying to recover. To have LeBron for as long as he did and only come away with a single championship,… Read more »
This would be true if the Warriors hadn’t put together an all time run, and the Cavs beat the best of those teams (at least record wise). I’ll take getting the greatest championship in north American pro sports history, losing another cause of Kyrie and Love injury bullshit, and losing a third because of an all time front runner move and salary cap dipshittery which led to KD. One (should’ve been two) out of the greatest four straight Finals series slugfest? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
2016 championship was incredible and for sure erased all bad feelings but doesn’t change the fact that I’m skeptical of Dan Gilbert meddling. Which reminds me, he also was the driving force behind the Kyrie trade, which chased Lebron out a second time. The worst moves this club have made are all tied to his ultimatums.
now you have gone totally off the tracks. Dan had nothing to do with the Kyrie trade and obviously hated it.
changing some facts to fit a theory. Dan wasn’t even the owner at the beginning. and a lot of top players didn’t want to play with LeBron in the early days.
Yeesh man. Check the dates. He took over in 2005 and directed Ferry to spend. It was openly talked about. Thats when they capped the hell out if themselves for Larry Hughes, Damon Jones, and Donnell Marshall. For the Kyrie trade he didn’t want to get burned again
and held over a barrel like he did with Lebron, he openly talked about that too.
what are you talking about? upset that an owner is not pinching pennies? how is that working out for the Cinci Bengals?
he didnt want Kyrie holding the team hostage like Lebron did. that was why they acted fast.
And it’s not about spending money. It’s spending money stupidly. It restricted everything the team could do moving forward. They had to make wildly desperate moves to get around cap issues. They should have been patient, draft well and develop a solid core around Lebron. Instead they injected enough talent to get Lebron to the playoffs early (which that was Dan’s demand) and never had the ability to add legit talent around him. Most teams have learned from the that fiasco.
you recall the Carlos Boozer “cheating a blind man” (the owner) in his second year, when LeBron was a rookie?
not blaming that on Dan.
To your point that a lot of people didn’t want to play with Lebron, that was why it was stupid to force your GM to spend all available salary cap and force him to have to overpay for mediocre talent. what a weird hill for you to die on.
Man comparing the way teams were built 20 years ago and asking them to be built the same way now is a little crazy. Dan did good stuff and bad, but we were all dumber then.
I was dumber for sure, I was excited about making the playoffs. But I do remember everyone else in the national media being like this is really what the Cavs want to lock themselves up for??? when they signed those guys. I don’t think Ferry would have made those moves if Dan didn’t make his job contingent on making the playoffs.
I’m guessing the Cavs had legit concerns over Garland’s durability. They also likely find this as an experiment. Better, more durable player for the rest of this season. If it fails? Move on. Could be an expensive experiment, but this team was/is the most expensive in the league and playing worse than the year before – where they failed to make it out of the 2nd round.
TLDR: Gotta try something different 🤷♂️
There are 4 guys in the league averaging 25 pts and 8 assists per: Doncic, Jokic, Cunningham, and Harden. Harden’s TS% does not match Joker’s, or Doncic’s, but is way higher than Cunningham’s. There are 10 guys at 25 & 5 or better. We have 2. The only team with 2. Though, once Jokic qualifies again, there will be 11 and Denver will have 2. Doncic, SGA, Maxey, Mitchell, Brunson, Murray, Avdija, Booker, Harden, and Cunningham. Plus Joker. We have two guys in the top 10 in 3PT shooting in Tyson & Merrill. We have the reigning DPOY in Mobley… Read more »
Cap math
*or Max Strus
I don’t really think getting under the apron this year is that big of a deal. Now, NEXT year? Maybe so. But not if we are having a parade.
I think this year is about the title/winning.
Ball will likely go, but that is more about creating space for Tomlin than the apron, IMHO. If Ball was shooting better, he’d not be on the block.
Moving Schröder might also do it.
We have already shaved, what, $40-$50 mil off the tax/salary bill. Ball will be a chunk more. We are only $2-$3 mil over.
We are not a repeat 2nd apron team. The real penalties are in player acquisition & trades, and the deadline will be past. The roster is full.
Maybe LNJ gets waived, but unless you get a buyout guy better there is no reason. And we like him so much I doubt that happens. And itcdoes not get us under.
The reason to get under would be trade aggregation. Strus/Allen works for a lot of trade scenarios. Also, if we are over second apron next year, we’d be a repeater.
Aside from avoiding repeater penalties, also remember the short trade window AFTER the season before the new cba calendar kicks in. That would be an ideal time to move Harden and a player for James (probably three way deal) to get James’s bird rights.
I wonder if getting Harden will help us come buyout time. Probably too late this window (unless Giannis is a fan).
Probably need a deep run to prove our chops first, but if we do, I think there is a knock on effect. We’ll likely get under the 2nd apron & be a,more attractive destination for ring chasers.
Celeb likes it: https://kingjamesgospel.com/cleveland-cavaliers-have-perfect-james-harden-blueprint-trade-rumors-darius-garland
Look, I get the Harden concerns: age, fit, playoff performance, night life/conditioning.
To try and assuage some:
Harden is 11th in WARP (wins above replacement) this year.
Harden was 3rd team all-NBA last year & led the league in APG in the playoffs.
He ranks in the 88th percentile in points per shot attempt, 79th percentile in assist %, and 91st percentile in drawing fouls.
He is also in the 88th percentile in defensive rebounding % (for guards, I assume). DG was 12th.
https://www.fearthesword.com/cavs-analysis/44084/cavs-trade-grade-james-harden-darius-garland-cleveland-cavaliers-koby-altman-los-angeles-clippers
right. and DG at his best would never sniff these kind of stats. and there is a reasonable chance he will never be at his best again, or very often. sad, but true.
this is why most analysists think the Cavs made a smart move.
DG availability: https://kingjamesgospel.com/new-trade-details-show-cavaliers-had-no-real-choice-darius-garland-
Availability is important.
Sonis perception amongst teammates.
Though some of this smells like CYB leaks from the organization after the trade, it could still be true.
If Giannis wants Cleveland or AD wants Cleveland, you try it.
Outside of that you’re probably done outside of the Lonzo dump. Strus for Portis is interesting BUT I like the roster.
You have 48 minutes of elite PG play, movement shooting, and rim-running / rim protection to surround Donovan at all times.
how would you match AD’s salary? he is still good, but paid like a superstar
Hawks sites think the Cavs are wheeling and dealing and they can get JA for Porzingis and a pile of 2rps.
Porzingis has typhus or whatever.
I get the theory but I think we want to see Allen and Mobley with Harden
trading Allen right now would be insane
Unless we get Giannis back….
OK, but the Bucks are going to want Mobley.
It’s about Giannis. If he wants Cleveland he is here already. Bucks can’t move him if he won’t pick a spot.
God bless them.
Fedor: a good bet
https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2026/02/why-cavs-trading-for-james-harden-was-a-risk-worth-taking-chris-fedor.html
This is somewhat good news.
this is mechanically true but there is absolutely a handshake deal imo
Yep. But I am pretty sure we are in wink-wink territory, here. Harden could have vetoed the trade or not waived his kicker, he did us 2 solids.
Look, the Clips did not want to committ to any salary for him beyond this season. Despite being 3rd team all NBA last. He wanted that and a chance to win. Their breakup seems pretty amicable.
The Xlips couod also lose draft picks in the Kawhi scandal, so getting young talent now and oreserving cap space are super important for them.
any other Cavs trade rumors? maybe trading MaxS for nothing gets you under the cap?
I think it would be a Max move if anything, yes.
See above
most of the commentary out there not associated with either team rates JH as a lot better than DG right now.
also, for a couple years, many at CtB have remarked that the current Cavs crew are too nice to win it all. that theory has some merit. well, now we have addressed that concern.
looking at the big picture, window of op, etc., you had to make this trade.
so I am now looking for the good side to come out
I read that DG is in the 12th percentage for defensive rebounding and Harden is 88th. That isn’t toe related.
Look, Harden is ball dominant and not much of an on ball defender vs quick guards. His shooting percentages have certainly dipped. And he is old. And he likes the strip clubs and is seldom late for dinner.
But DG is also pretty ball dominant (though not as much) on not much of an an ball defender. And he has not been healthy for 10 months. Harden has.
this feels cherry pick-y.
this was the best player that’s been on offer for a 70% chance of DG returning to 24-25 form within the next year and a half. fine, although the dude himself is awful and the toxicity risk is of singular, SINGULAR magnitude, nobody can fuck up a team like Harden.
lets not turn the man into Wes Unseld
remind us how Wes Unsled fits into the picture
we didn’t trade for Harden for his defensive rebounding, is what I’m saying
I do not buy that Harden is a locker room cancer. Having tiffs with the FO & contract fights and how a player interacts with teammates are not the same thing. His former teammates seem to like the guy.
And while he has certainly had PO struggles in game 7s, he has had some big games as well and was easily a net positive last year for LA (leading the entire POs in APG).
Despite the decreased efficiency his TS% is still hovering right around 60%. Maybe he does not eant to be the 2nd leading scorer without a title?
look, this is what Brooklyn, Philly and the Clips thought. he’s well liked but the teams still hit the lottery hard
Ben trying to stay calm
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUVIsguDNJP/?igsh=MXYzZnlraGlzODVsOQ==
Whoever runs the CtB bluesky account concurred.
Oh wrong Ben.
dude is reaching for straws. KI forced a trade as the season started, and there have actually been worse picks than Baby Huey
Name a worse pick than Baby Huey. Also, the point is that there’s always something interesting happening.
I think there have been a couple that never played. remember the giant guy from BYU(?) that went on a mission to Africa, refused to attend any workouts, and still got drafter #1 (or near?)
agree you can’t be much worse than Baby Huey. who was in charge when they drafted him?
knowable guy
WOULD STILL LIKE TO GET A SERVICABLE BIG ( CAN WE GET FOR LONZO) OR BUYOUT
At this point I just don’t want them to lose one
has the trade crashed the site or KO’ed the crew?
?
Hopefully!
the fact that the Cavs played a lot better without DG than with him is important.
let’s hope the same thing does not happen with Wine and Gold Turd. after the season we can vote if he should be upgraded from Turd to Turnip or something
That’s health all the way imo.
The Clips were better with him on the court than off. Especially on offense.
convincing point
Best outcome: a reasonable chance this will propel the Cavs to the Finals, or get close.
Worst outcome: Cavs stay about the same, everyone hates Harden, and he makes us keep him for 2 and a half years.
My best guess: this moves Cavs from a longshot to a decent shot.
Cavs likely became a tougher matchup for the teams in their way in the East this week. Still plenty of offensive firepower, Harden can still fill it up from all three levels. They couldn’t have possibly lost anything defensively, even if Harden and Schroeder are subpar, it’s still a wash. They acquired two playoff tested experienced players at a premium position and a young 3 and D tweener that might be able to guard some of the better back courts dudes (Brunson, Cade, Tyrese, Pritchard, etc)
We didn’t need anything more than what we had to beat Detroit, NY or Boston. Harden helps in the regular season but we have basically the exact same weaknesses.
God help us if we play a team that plays with any pace at all.
We were 0-3 vs Toronto and 0-2 vs Boston & NY. 1-1 v Detroit.
1-8 vs the top 4 in the east.
health. no game had all core 4 more than a week removed from injury.
dunno. the chances for the Cavs to get a lot better fast just went way up, so I rate this as a pretty good gamble
“you pays your money and takes yo chances”
they’ll be better now for the next three months.
but I’m not using data from the hospital season to presume we couldn’t have beaten NY, Detroit, or the Raps!
same, but things were NOT looking real good for the ECFs
Harden raises the floor and gives you raised odds in the playoffs a bit. We should be very good to end the regular season, and that gets you the 2-3 seed at worst and a bread loaf in the first round with maybe home court in the second round.
I get the love for DG. He seems like a great dude and the regular last year was magical.
And I get the apprehension & distate for Harden. I do. I share it.
But I think the FO came to the conclusion that as constructed we did not have enough. Hard not to agree from my perspective.
DG & Hunter were making the most and performing the worst and had the most value.
BUCKAROO I HAVE “ BEEN ON THE FENCE POST “ WITH THIS——- I CAN TALK MYSELF IN / CONVINCE MYSELF 👍👍👍TRADE——-CAVS GOT MORE THAN HAWKS GOT FOR TRAE AND WHAT MEMPHIS WILL GET FOR MORANT ——- HARDEN IS A CAVS NOW SO HEY “ ALL UN “ — LETS GO CAVS ——- TV STATIONS ARE SCRAMBLING TO GET CAVS ON THEIR SCHEDULE
Yeah:
Harden > McCollum + Krispert
Career playoff Box Plus Minus: Off, Def, Total
Garland: -0.2, -0.3, -0.6
Harden: 4.8, 1.4, 6.2
Last year playoff Box Plus Minus: Off, Def, Total
Garland: 0.6, -2.4, -1.9
Harden: 2.5, 1.5, 4.1
It is more than a half year.
AFTER THIS DAY “ DO -DIE -OR WHY “ —- 1 THING REMAINS CONSISTENT…………… “ MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE “ 👍🏀🍺———— WELCOME TO THE LAND “ ALL YOU NEW GUYS “ and THANK YOU DG FOR MANY MEMORIES—- GOOD LUCK 🍀!!
nomad bro.. what are you thinking about the move(s).. i like both of them hunter was a szlub.. and garland was always streaky, and with the injury, way beyond his prime.. regards to you and the mrs nomad.. now back to the gold futures !!!
cavs traded garland for harden.. interesting.. i give it an 8.7 out of 10.. if garland were healthy, it would be a lower number, but given the severity of the toe injury, i concur.. should be interesting, at the very least..
hate to agree with buck, but the chances of Garland’s foot ever being 100% are about the same as it never being right.
I think this is more than a season and a half of evidence, especially Garland, and the two most coveted, expendable players were jettisoned. Nothing malicious, just a FO with championship aspirations sensing the urgency that most of the fan base, if they are being honest, probably also felt.
CtB OG, Collin McGowan.
The OG!!!
Neil Paine’s player ratings for the season so far . . .
Offense:
Defense:
Yikes Schröder
When you know you know. You can either sit idly and wait for the inevitable, 2nd round loss, at best, knowing what you have currently doesn’t work and your roster is the most expensive in the league or try and do something about it. Agree or disagree, the current iteration was “dead man walking” and everyone knew it.
Don’t agree, but that’s moot
50 games of cascading injuries after 82 games of dominance is not enough evidence of inevitable anything.
I think we did this too soon for the wrong guy but we should kill the rest of the regular season here and that should help the playoff draw.
Agreed.
not buying it
BUT
EMERGENCY POD? 🚨 🎤
click click click…
Eli has been reprimanded!! LMFAO
Garland is, of course, the best draft pick value and development story the franchise has had this millennium.
You hope that we can continue to restock and that Tyson is a bona fide star.
I might go with Mobes, there.
Mobley was a higher pick and safe (although better). He seems in line with expectations like Bron and Kyrie.
Garland with his college career was a huge swing and a huge hit from #5, a spot that has a lot more risk.
Adding Harden and hopefully Strus is a lot of firepower.
We may not run teams out of the building bc Harden is slow but we can’t be guarded – elite shooters and rim runners and Jaylon Tyson…
LETS GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! I SALUTE YOU KORBY!!!!
Agreed. Chris & I are in full agreement.
This feels weird.
Apocalypse incoming LMFAOOOO
You guys are nuts. The D will be better without DG.
A dark day. What are they thinking? Ugh,
If you’ve got to trade our boy — TRADE HIM FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN PLAY DEFENSE!
Seems like the “window” just slammed on my fingers.
The are thinking the present team is not good enough to win. I agree.
They are thinking that if we flame out again, our best player may want out. I agree.
They were thinking, DG has been hurt a lot lately and horrid in the platlyoffs. I agree.
They were realizing, finally, that the Lollipop Guild backcourt was not gonna fly. Not Sexton/Garland. Not Garland/Spida. I agree.
Team is clearly not good enough
Best player probly getting restless
DG great in many ways, but not a great fit
Small backcourt clearly not going the distance.
Harden is a bum.
They got NOTHING in trade for Darius. James Harden is well past his prime and cannot guard anyone or learn to play in any system that is not just him doing this thing.
This is just a stupid panic move that is setting the team back.
They should have traded Darius last year when they had the chance to get someone with long term value.
it is hard to predict the future
You can find a way, even if it’s something stupid like having Harden guard the slow guy (a 4 or 5) and having Wade Mobley and Allen roam.
Harden, Mitchell, Tyson, Mobley, Allen.
Schröder, Merrill, Strus, Wade, Bryant
CPJ, Ellis, Tomlin
Proctor, Nance
2W: Enaruna, Miller
Assuming Ball gets dealt and Tomlin signed.
With Mobely & Strus out, start Wade and move Tomlin & Ellis up a notch.
I dont know if I can watch that product.
Well,its s a deal…..ppppfffftttt!!!!!
Harden has already asked for a trade away from Cleveland.
No time like the present…….why wait
This sucks so much. Worst move since Ron Harper for Danny Ferry.
Wanna bet?
We were .500 with DG playing and 17-8 without him and we were a negative with him ON court. He and Hunter were the only negatives amongst our rotational guys. Even Ball was positive.
Harden is a much better player now. He is a great P&R guy, which should help Allen. We can switch easier on D (or at least on the wings). And Harden has been much better than DG in the playoffs.
Now, 2 years from now? Maybe not. But now? We are certainly better.
He’s a three time asshole and choker. You are hoping for best behavior but…that’s very much not the track record.
We gave up a pick, too.
I…need to spend more time at the mosque
In the Hunter trade? Yes, we did. A 2nd.
Oops, you were ahead of me. I was hoping for a pick from them. But a 2nd is OK, I guess.
We’ll see how next year & beyond shakes out for Harden’s contract.
I was on board if the Cavs GOT a pick.
so Hardin has a 15% trade kicker. wouldn’t the trade kicker be void if it is the player demanding the trade? otherwise, he could demand a trade on day 1 just to get a 15% bonus.
He has to waive it for a Cavs trade anyway due to second apron rules.
Or at least a majority of it. He could keep some of it, but he’ll presumably want that cheese back on the contract.
He’s the one requesting a trade…
I kmow I am in the minority, but I do not think Harden is a locker room cancer…….until he wants out.
IDK what will be necessary to keep him happy, contract-wise. Not officially extension eligible until summer, I think.
Option #1: guarantee next year’s salary.
Option #2: rip up next year + 2 yr extension
Option #3: Next year guarantee + extension
He has to waive a no-trade AND a trade kicker for it to work.
Glass half full, he’s 37 so how many seasons does he actually have left to demand another trade.
Exactly..36. 37 in August.
Anyway, my point was that both he and Altman are gonna need to come to an agreement on what is acceptable before a trade can be completed.
Option #1 is fine with me. Option #3 probably causes me to balk, unless year 3 is pretty readonable. Option #2 is in the middle.
Clips would also presumably have to yield on picks
How soon until he wants out? And for what reasons? Enough of a spotlight for him? I will confess not to be especially confident that he will want to stick around. If he does and avoids serious injury (big Ifs), then such a trade would be beneficial. Always risks of course.
My preferred trade is ball and Proctor for Jerome.
Jerome choked MASSIVELY in the POs last year and was a turnstyle on D.
That is not happenening, Nate.
Plus I think we like Proctor.
Worse than a choke, it just seemed like his game really doesn’t translate to postseason comp.
Merrill is much better than Jerome
Yeah I don’t think I can handle Jerome again. Still kinda upset about his flameout.
I must say, a lot of this willingness to part with Hunter, Strus, & DG is also a vote of confidence for Tyson. And I agree there. We have a good one.
You’ve heard Strus?
He reportedly was part of our Giannis offer and before this DG/Harden thing, he was getting mentioned in trade rumors pretty frequently.
Rumor was that he probably could have played already but we were holding him out so he did not re-injure anything.
Counterintuitive to me, wouldn’t you want to prove he is HEALTHY, first? But he would getvus under the 2nd apron & we have Tyson & Ellis & Merrill at SG.
the main place I have seen Straus mentioned is in articles about what various teams could offer for Gianniss. I doubt if those authors have any inside info, just making up plausible guesses and checking the trade machine.
however, the Cavs p robably wouldn’t mind trading Straus for something they can use now
I thought he was close but they are being cautious
Probably Merrill to a degree as well. Has missed a lot of games with the hand injuries, but on the floor it’s undeniable from last year’s playoffs and his play this year that he is a playoff rotation guard.
Chicago has a glut of Gs. Strus for Dosunmu would be lovely. For us. Probably need to include picks for the Bulls.
Minny could have had Whote in their deal but did not take him, reportedly.
Conley a buyout candidate.
Today feels like tomorrow with this flurry of deals.